2021 Mazda CX-3 Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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The Mazda CX-3, a subcompact crossover, was introduced for the 2016 model year and refreshed for 2019. It carries over pretty much unchanged for 2021—with the exception of one new standard safety feature. Its competition includes the Hyundai Kona, Subaru Crosstrek, Honda HR-V, and, from within its own family, the recently introduced Mazda CX-30.
Like all subcompact crossovers, the Mazda CX-3 looks like a lifted small hatchback, but the CX-3 is one of the more successful formulas in this area, particularly in available Soul Red Crystal paint, which really highlights the CX-3’s sweeping side profile. It’s a charmer, and the standard LED headlights add an upscale look.
Every CX-3 gets a modest but capable 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, a six-speed automatic transmission, and the choice of front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The engine is rated for 148 horsepower. FWD models are rated for 29 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined. With AWD, that drops by 2 mpg per measure. These are some of the best ratings in the class. Handling is where the CX-3 really shines. It’s the most agile model in the class, with crisp steering and great cornering ability.
The CX-3’s trim lineup has been pared down to just the Sport model. The cabin is elegant and of near-luxury design and quality, though there are fewer upgrades available than in previous years. Automatic climate control, cloth upholstery, remote keyless entry, and push-button start come standard. An auto-dimming rearview mirror, a universal garage door opener, and ambient lighting are optional.
The Mazda Connect infotainment system features a 7-inch touchscreen and a rotary knob controller, as well as Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a six-speaker stereo system, and voice recognition. Again, there aren’t any notable upgrades.
The 2021 CX-3 earned a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Standard safety features include a reversing camera, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, stop-and-go adaptive cruise control, adaptive headlights with automatic high-beams, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a head-up display (HUD). Night pedestrian detection now comes standard as part of the automatic emergency braking system, along with daytime pedestrian detection. Rear parking sensors are optional.
The Mazda CX-3 isn’t the most value-oriented model in a segment where pricing is especially important, but it’s one of the most stylish and offers better driving dynamics than most competitors.
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2021 Mazda CX-3 Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Voice recognition audio system · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Aha internet radio · Pandora internet radio · Touch screen display radio · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 11.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.1 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Door trim: cloth · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: urethane · Steering wheel trim: urethane
Convenience Features
Adaptive stop and go cruise control: semi-automatic · Assist handle: front · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): USB front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 4.33
Engine
Alternator: 100 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Fender lip moldings: black · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome surround · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Rocker panel color: black · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Google search · Infotainment: Mazda Connect · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Instrument cluster screen size: 4.6 in. · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: self-leveling · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: front pedestrian · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: rear · Impact absorbing seats: dual front · Impact sensor: door unlock · Pre-Collision Warning System: visual warning · Pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: speed sensitive · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: intermittent
Air Conditioning
Sun sensor climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Voice recognition audio system · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Aha internet radio · Stitcher internet radio · AM/FM radio · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 11.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.1 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Door trim: cloth · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: urethane · Steering wheel trim: urethane
Convenience Features
Adaptive stop and go cruise control: semi-automatic · Assist handle: front · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): USB front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 4.33
Engine
Alternator: 100 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Fender lip moldings: black · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome surround · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Rocker panel color: black · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Google search · Infotainment: Apply CarPlay ready · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Instrument cluster screen size: 4.6 in. · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: self-leveling · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: front pedestrian · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: rear · Impact absorbing seats: dual front · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system · Pre-Collision Warning System: audible warning · Pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: intermittent